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Heat Stress, Hot Weather Work & Climate Hazards

Working in extreme heat puts skilled trades and transportation workers at serious risk. These tools can help you recognize heat illness, build safer job sites, and organize for stronger protections.

Resources

• Heat Hurts and Kills Workers – National COSH  
• 9 Steps to Demand Heat Protections at Work – National COSH 
• Fired Up! Workers for Heat Justice Campaign – National COSH 
• Heat Safety Tool App – NIOSH 
• Heat Stress and Workers – NIOSH 
• Wildfire Smoke & Climate Safety Tips – National COSH  

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Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Workplace Violence & Employee Wellbeing

Mental health challenges, suicide risk, and workplace violence are growing concerns across the trades. These resources help union Members recognize warning signs, build supportive work cultures, and take action to protect themselves and others.

Resources

• Workplace Mental Health Resources – NIOSH  
• Suicide in Construction – NIOSH  
• Workplace Psychosocial Hazards – NIOSH 
• Employee Wellbeing Resources, Data Curated by NSC Experts  
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  
• Mental Health Information – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)  
• Mental Health in the Construction Industry – CPWR  

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Slips, Trips, Falls & Confined Spaces

Falls remain one of the leading causes of death in the trades. Add in scaffolds, trenches, ladders, and confined spaces — and jobsite risks can rise fast. These tools help prevent the worst from happening.

Resources

• Falls – CPWR  
• Falls from Elevation – NIOSH 
• Confined Spaces – OSHA 
• Slips & Fall Topics and Resources Curated by NSC Experts  
• Stop Construction Falls – CPWR  

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Electrical Hazards & Lockout / Tagout

When working around energized systems, it’s not just about staying alert — it’s about ensuring proper procedures and PPE are in place. These resources protect workers from arc flashes, energized circuits, and stored energy incidents.

Resources

• Electrical Safety – NIOSH Science Blog 
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) – OSHA  
• Electrical Safety in the Workplace – CDC  
• Electrical Safety – CPWR 
• Working with Electricity – OSHA  

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Trenching, Excavation & Struck-By Hazards

Cave-ins, collapsed trenches, and struck-by incidents are some of the deadliest and most preventable in the trades. These tools offer clear solutions backed by fatality investigations.

Resources

• Trenching & Excavation – OSHA 
• Struck-By Hazard – Toolbox Talks – CPWR 
• Struck-by Injuries – CDC 
• Trenching and Excavation – CPWR 
• Struck-by Hazards – CPWR  

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Ergonomics & Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention (MSDs)

Sprains, strains, back pain, and repetitive motion injuries are some of the most common — and preventable — injuries in the trades. These resources help protect your body for the long haul.

Resources

• Ergonomics Resources – National Safety Council (NSC) 
• Musculoskeletal Disorders – NIOSH 
• Ergonomic Toolbox Talks – CPWR 

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Driving & Roadside Safety

Whether you’re behind the wheel of a rig or flagging on a highway shoulder, transportation and roadside work carries serious risks. These resources are designed to protect drivers and crews alike.

Resources

• Fleet Safety Essentials Online Course – NSC 
• Distracted Driving Awareness Resources – NSC 
• Safe-Driving Topics and Resources Curated by NSC Experts 
• Roadside Worker Safety – OSHA 

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Respiratory Hazards & Chemical Exposure

Workers in construction, welding, demolition, and repair often face invisible dangers like silica dust, welding fumes, asbestos, and solvent vapors. These tools offer protection and policy support.

Resources

• Exposure Control Database – CPWR 
• Respiratory Protection Standards – OSHA  
• Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards – NIOSH 
• Controlling Hazardous Fume and Gases during Gases during Welding – OSHA 
• Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances – OSHA  
• Chemical Safety in the Workplace – CDC  

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Safety Committees & Training Materials

Looking to lead a crew huddle or start a union-led safety committee? These tools make it easy to build safer work environments from the ground up — with Member-led solutions.

Resources

• Toolbox Talk Collection – CPWR 
• How to Start a Worker-Led Safety Committee – National COSH 
• Webinar: Building Worker Power Through Safety Committees – National COSH 
• Serious Incident and Fatality (SIF) Prevention Model – NSC 
• Safety Training – NSC 
• Safety Training – OSHA  

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Know Your Rights & Report a Hazard

You have the right to a safe job — and federal law protects you when you report unsafe conditions. Use these tools to understand your rights and take action if they’re violated.

Resources

• File a Complaint – OSHA 
• Whistleblower Complaint Page – OSHA  
• Workers’ Rights Overview –OSHA 
• Worker-led Collaborations – National COSH 
• USMWF and OSHA Alliance- USMWF 

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Support After a Fatality

When tragedy strikes, ASTTU Members and their families are not alone. These resources support survivors and provide tools to advocate, grieve, and pursue justice.

Resources

• Family Resource Guide – USMWF 
• Submit a Tribute – USMWF 
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program – NIOSH  

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Emergency Preparedness

From extreme heat and wildfire smoke to hurricanes, floods, and freezing conditions — climate-related threats are hitting workers harder than ever. These tools help you prepare, adapt, and stay safe on the job in an evolving climate.

Resources

• Emergency Preparedness – NIOSH 
• Emergency Preparedness and Response – OSHA 

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Recommended Safety Organizations

The following national organizations provide many of the tools, research, and resources featured in this Health & Safety Hub. We encourage ASTTU Members to explore these sources for further information and support.

Resources

• National COSH – Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health 
• OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
• USMWF – United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities 
• NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
• NSC – National Safety Council 
• CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training 
• The Campbell Institute – NSC’s EHS Center of Excellence 

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